Mullets book their place in the first round

The sides drew 3-3 in their second qualifying round fixture on Saturday but the Mullets proved too strong for their Division 2 opponents in the replay.

Arundel boss Simon Butler was delighted with the win and said: “After the game on Saturday and the way we managed to sneak a draw with the last kick, I said to the lads we must win this one.

“It was a really difficult game with Wick giving us some real problems. But we managed to take a lead in to the break after not playing particularly well and, in the end, we got the victory.”

Scott Tipper opened the scoring for the hosts on five minutes when he slotted home a Nathan Da Costa cross.

Wick levelled three minutes before the break through Ben Anderton. However, Alex Biggs netted in first half injury-time to secure the win for Mullets.

Wick boss Jon Tucker said: “I cannot fault my players’ efforts over the two legs but we should have had the tie won on Saturday.”

ARUNDEL: Fernandes; N.Da Costa, Bibb, Walker, Mannings; A.Biggs, Clark, Heward, R.Biggs; Tipper, Boutwood. Subs: Richards (Mannings), Wilson (Clark), Hall, Herbert, L.Da Costa.

WICK & BARNHAM: Jordan Matthews; Cox, Horne, Anderton, Salisbury; Bagyura, Enticott, Noble, Derry; Chick, Westbrook. Subs: Pedrick (Anderton), Joseph Matthews (Salisbury), Hutchings, Tucker.